About this role
Job summary
Rowan Ward in Yeovil is looking to recruit a Facilities Service Assistant (Cleaner/Cook) to join our friendly and supportive team.
Rowan Ward is a 16-bed acute mental health ward providing care to patients with a wide range of needs. We pride ourselves on being a caring, closeknit team that supports one another through the challenges and rewards of working in an acute environment.
As a Facilities Service Assistant, you will play a vital role in maintaining a clean, safe and welcoming ward environment that supports patient recovery. You will work alongside the ward team and Facilities colleagues to ensure high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and food service are consistently delivered.
Full training and ongoing support will be provided, making this an excellent opportunity for someone looking to start or develop a career within healthcare support services.
Working pattern:
Full-time positions available with shifts of 07:00--15:00 or 10:00--18:00.
Main duties of the job
In this varied and rewarding role, no two days are the same. You will:
Be at the heart of the ward environment, ensuring all areas are clean, safe and welcoming for patients, visitors and staffTake pride in maintaining high standards of cleanliness, using a structured cleaning schedule to keep bedrooms, bathrooms, lounges and shared spaces spotlessSupport patient wellbeing through mealtimes, assisting with the preparation, serving and clearing of food and drinksPlay a key role in infection prevention, helping protect vulnerable patients by following strict hygiene and safety proceduresWork closely with a supportive team, building strong relationships with ward staff and contributing to a positive team cultureKeep things running smoothly behind the scenes, from stocking supplies and maintaining equipment to ensuring waste is handled safelyMake a real difference every day, contributing directly to a calm, therapeutic environment that supports recovery
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description Job responsibilities
Undertake cleaning duties across all ward areas, including: Patient bedrooms, bathrooms and toilets, Communal areas such as lounges and day rooms, Offices, clinical spaces and meeting rooms, Kitchens, pantry areas and external entrancesFollow a planned cleaning schedule to ensure all areas are consistently maintained to a high standardMaintain and clean equipment, reporting faults or issues to the Facilities Team LeaderCarry out environmental cleaning audits and complete monitoring records as requiredEnsure safe use, storage and handling of cleaning chemicals in line with COSHH regulationsAssist with food and beverage services, including: Preparing simple meals such as sandwiches and salads, Regenerating pre-prepared food, Serving meals and drinks to patients, Cleaning kitchen equipment and maintaining pantry areasFollow food hygiene standards and maintain awareness of allergens and dietary requirementsHandle, segregate and dispose of waste safely, including clinical and general wasteSupport linen services by: Receiving, sorting and distributing clean linen, Handling used linen safely and appropriatelyEnsure stock levels of cleaning materials and supplies are maintainedWork in line with infection prevention and control, health and safety, and Trust policiesMaintain patient dignity and confidentiality at all timesWork flexibly as part of the team, responding to changing priorities and supporting colleagues as neededAttend training and complete mandatory qualifications, including infection control, manual handling and fire safetyReport incidents, hazards or concerns promptly to the Facilities Team Leader or Ward Manager
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Range of work procedures and practices, base level of theoretical knowledge plus experience relevant to the postFood Hygiene Level 2 certificate City and Guilds or equivalent (for Catering duties only)
Desirable
NVQ or equivalent relevant to the role
Experience Essential
Experience of either catering / cleaning / portering in a commercial
Desirable
Knowledge of allergiesUnderstanding of either cleaning/catering/portering practicesKnowledge of COSHH proceduresUnderstanding Health & Safety in the workplace including infection control and moving and handling procedures
Additional Criteria Essential
Ability to use IT Skills.Ability to undertake physical tasksAbility to undertake Manual handing procedures
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Rowan Ward
56 Preston Road
Yeovil
Somerset
BA20 2BX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)